News

Voting for those with visual impairment

18 May 2017 0 Comments

Your vote matters - don't lose itVoters who have sight loss or visual impairment can get help when voting.

In partnership with the Royal National Institute for the Blind, The Electoral Commission has produced an information sheet to help those with sight loss, explaining how to vote and register to vote and explaining what help they can get.

We have reproduced the text below or the document can be downloaded as a pdf from the Your Vote Matters website. www.yourvotematters.co.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/226827/FINAL-RNIB-factsheet-UKPGE-2017.pdf

If you want to vote, you must be registered. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by contacting the electoral services department at your
local council.

The deadline to apply to vote in these elections is Monday 22 May (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, Democracy, Disability, Government, News

College Site approved by committee

18 May 2017 0 Comments

Ashford Borough Council’s Planning Committee voted to approve the reserved matters planning application to build 160 dwellings on the Ashford College site in Jemmett Road last night (17 May).

Proposals for redevelopment of the site were first produced 10 years ago in tandem with a plan to relocate the college to a new campus in Victoria Road. At that that time an application for 241 houses was permitted by the Council. Lack of funding led to the college not being able to relocate.

The college sought to renew the application in 2011, this time with proposals to relocate to the site now being constructed in Elwick Road. The Council asked for the proposals to be amended to comply with their Residential Space standards which resulted in the number of dwellings being limited to 154. Although the Planning Committee decided to allow the development, permission was only granted in December 2016 when the College signed the Section 106 agreement.

Although supporting the proposals, Bob Shrubb, Chair of  South Ashford Community Forum, spoke to express concerns regarding traffic, parking and the inclusion of a four storey block of apartments, contrary to a condition on permission granted under the outlline application. The planning officer noted that traffic matters had been dealt with under the outline application and could not be revisited. She said that Kent County Council, as highways authority had accepted the parking proposal based on a survey carried out for the applicant. A councillor said that taller buildings should be expected in “Town Centre” locations.

The reserved matters application is case reference 17/00354/AS posted in our Planning notices on 14 March 2017
https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2017/03/14/south-kent-college-jemmett-road-tn23-4rj-3/ 

The outline application is case reference 11/00405/AS posted on  10 December 2016
https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2016/12/10/south-kent-college-jemmett-road-tn23-4rj-decided/

Ashford Borough Council, News, Planning and Development, SACF

Voting for those with learning disabilities

17 May 2017 0 Comments

Your vote matters - don't lose itIn the general election people with a learning disability have the same rights to vote as everybody else. If you are over 18 years old you may be able to vote.

People with a learning disability should vote so they have a say about things that affect their lives.

More information on voting for those with learning disabilities and their supporters is available from the Mencap website
www.mencap.org.uk/get-involved/campaigning/voting-and-registering-vote

If you are not registered, you must register before 22nd May to vote in the General Election.

 

 

 

Democracy, Disability, News

Mental Health Awareness Week

14 May 2017 0 Comments

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we have reproduced tips from the Mental Health Foundations on how to thrive with good mental health. You can find out more about the Mental Health Foundations theme of Thriving or Surviving from the Mental Health Awareness Week page on its website www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week.

They also have more information and advice on how to look after your mental health www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health

Mental health help and support services

If you’re experiencing mental health problems or need urgent support, there are lots of places you can go to for help.

Samaritans

Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call)
Email:jo@samaritans.org
Website:www.samaritans.org

Provides confidential, non-judgmental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.

Mind Infoline

Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm Monday to Friday)
Email:info@mind.org.uk
Web site:www.mind.org.uk/help/advice_lines

Mind provides confidential mental health information services.

With support and understanding, Mind enables people to make informed choices. The Infoline gives information on types of mental distress, where to get help, drug treatments, alternative therapies and advocacy. Mind has around 140 local Minds providing local mental health services.

Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line

Telephone: 0300 5000 927   (10am-2pm Monday to Friday)
Email:info@rethink.org
Website:http://www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice

Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff. Rethink also runs Rethink services and groups across England and Northern Ireland.

Saneline

Telephone: 0300 304 7000 (6pm-11pm)
Website:www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline

Saneline is a national mental health helpline providing information and support to people with mental health problems and those who support them.

ChildLine

Telephone: 0800 1111
Email:http://www.childline.org.uk/Talk/Pages/Email.aspx
Website:www.childline.org.uk

ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor for free about anything – no problem is too big or too small.

Elefriends

Website:http://elefriends.org.uk/

Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. Elefriends is run by Mind.

If you’re a carer needing support you can contact all of the above as well as Carers Direct and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, both of whom are able to provide support and advice on any issues affecting you.

Live Well Kent

Telephone: 0800 567 7699
Email: info@livewellkent.org.uk
Website: http://livewellkent.org.uk/

Live Well Kent helps people improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing. It is a free service for anyone over 17. Live Well Kent is delivered on behalf of Kent County Council and the NHS by two charities, Porchlight and Shaw Trust.

Release the Pressure

Telephone: 0800 107 0160
Website: www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/release-the-pressure

Life can get really tough sometimes, but talking can help. We have a highly trained and experienced team waiting to provide you with confidential support to get you back on track.

(more…)

Health, News, Wellbeing

Care for others

13 May 2017 0 Comments

Caring for others is often an important part of keeping up relationships with people close to you. It can even bring you closer together.

Why not share your skills more widely by volunteering for a local charity? Helping out can make us feel needed and valued and that boosts our self-esteem.

It also helps us see the world from another angle. That can help to put our own problems in perspective.

Find out more about volunteering at www.do-it.org.uk.

Caring for a pet can improve your wellbeing too. The bond between you and your pet can be as strong as between people. Looking after a pet can bring structure to your day and act as a link to other people. Lots of people make friends by chatting to fellow dog walkers.

Mental Health Foundation
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/looking-after-your-mental-health/care-others

#MHAW17
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

More information

Ashford Volunteer Centre provides local volunteering opportunities and volunteer training
www.ashfordvc.org.uk/

Mental health help and support services

If you’re experiencing mental health problems or need urgent support, there are lots of places you can go to for help. https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2017/02/02/time-to-talk/#support

Care, Charity, Health, News, Wellbeing

NCSC: International ransomware cyber attack

13 May 2017 0 Comments

 

“It is important that organisations reduce the risks of these attacks happening to them.  There are three pieces of important advice to help protect your organisation:

1) Make sure your security software patches are up to date
2) Make sure that you are running proper anti-virus software
3) Back up your data somewhere else because you can’t be held to ransom if you’ve got the data somewhere else.

Ciaran Martin, CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre said:

“Today we have seen a set of global cyber attacks against thousands of organisations and individuals in dozens of countries.

“The National Cyber Security Centre is working round the clock with UK and international partners and with private sector experts to lead the response to these cyber attacks.

“The picture is emerging that this is affecting multiple countries and sectors and is not solely targeted at the NHS. As the Prime Minister said, we have no evidence that UK National Health Service patient data has been stolen.

“We are very aware that attacks on critical services such as the NHS have a massive impact on individuals and their families, and we are doing everything in our power to help them restore these vital services.

“It is important that organisations reduce the risks of these attacks happening to them.  There are three pieces of important advice to help protect your organisation:

1) Make sure your security software patches are up to date
2) Make sure that you are running proper anti-virus software
3) Back up your data somewhere else because you can’t be held to ransom if you’ve got the data somewhere else.

National Cyber Security Centre 12 May 2017
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/statement-international-ransomware-cyber-attack

Government, Health, News, Security

Accept who you are

13 May 2017 0 Comments

Some of us make people laugh, some are good at maths, others cook fantastic meals. Some of us share our lifestyle with the people who live close to us, others live very differently.

We’re all different. It’s much healthier to accept that you’re unique than to wish you were more like someone else.

Feeling good about yourself boosts your confidence to learn new skills, visit new places and make new friends.

Good self-esteem helps you cope when life takes a difficult turn.

Be proud of who you are. Recognise and accept what you are not good at, but focus on what you can do well.

Work out if there’s anything about yourself that you still want to change. Are your expectations realistic? If they are, work towards the change in small steps.

Mental Health Foundation
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/looking-after-your-mental-health/accept-who-you-are

#MHAW17
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

Mental health help and support services

If you’re experiencing mental health problems or need urgent support, there are lots of places you can go to for help. https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2017/02/02/time-to-talk/#support

Health, News, Wellbeing

Patients reassured after cyberattack hits NHS

12 May 2017 0 Comments

 

“We’d like to reassure patients that if they need the NHS and it’s an emergency that they should visit A&E or access emergency services in the same way as they normally would and staff will ensure they get the care they need.

“More widely we ask people to use the NHS wisely while we deal with this major incident which is still ongoing.”

For those who are worried about how this potential cyber-attack will affect them, we advise you to keep up-to-date with developments via reputable outlets such as the NHS and UK Government’s Twitter feeds, along with the news pages of the UK’s national media.

You may have heard or read reports of a cyberattack against the NHS which has affected a number of hospitals and GP surgeries across the country.

In some cases, as well as affecting IT systems and websites, the issue is also thought to have affected phone systems. It is believed that some hospitals and surgeries have also closed down their systems as a precaution, to check that their systems are not affected or at risk.

For those who are worried about how this potential cyber-attack will affect them, we advise you to keep up-to-date with developments via reputable outlets such as the NHS and UK Government’s Twitter feeds, along with the news pages of the UK’s national media. The extent of the attack and the affect it has had on patients will not become clear until the investigation has gained momentum in the coming hours. It would be wrong to comment any further until more information has been released by the NHS or the police. 

NHS Incident Director, Dr Anne Rainsberry, said: “We’d like to reassure patients that if they need the NHS and it’s an emergency that they should visit A&E or access emergency services in the same way as they normally would and staff will ensure they get the care they need. More widely we ask people to use the NHS wisely while we deal with this major incident which is still ongoing.”

She added there are contingency plans to “keep the NHS open for business”.

NHS statement

A statement on the NHS Digital website says that the attack has not been specifically targeted at the NHS and is affecting organisations from across a range of sectors.

It reads “At this stage we do not have any evidence that patient data has been accessed.”

The statement adds: “NHS Digital is working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre, the Department of Health and NHS England to support affected organisations and ensure patient safety is protected. Our focus is on supporting organisations to manage the incident swiftly and decisively, but we will continue to communicate with NHS colleagues and will share more information as it becomes available.”

It is thought that the attack has been perpetrated by infecting systems with ransomware, a type of malware which locks access to computer files until a ransom is paid.

Get Safe Online 12 May 2016
www.getsafeonline.org/news/patients-reassured-after-cyberattack-hits-nhs/

Health, News, Security

KCC and NHS promote jobs in East Kent

12 May 2017 0 Comments

Kent County Council and the NHS organisations providing health and social care in East Kent have launched a website to promote employment in the sector in East Kent.

The move comes as the organisations work together towards the Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP). The STP describes what the organisations think needs to be done differently to bring about better health and wellbeing, better standards of care, and better use of staff and funds.

www.takeadifferentview.co.uk/

Care, Employment, Health, Kent County Council, News

Do something you’re good at

12 May 2017 0 Comments

What do you love doing? What activities can you lose yourself in? What did you love doing in the past?

Enjoying yourself helps beat stress. Doing an activity you enjoy probably means you’re good at it and achieving something boosts your self-esteem.

Concentrating on a hobby like gardening or the crossword can help you forget your worries for a while and change your mood.

It can be good to have an interest where you’re not seen as someone’s mum or dad, partner or employee. You’re just you.

An hour of sketching lets you express yourself creatively. A morning on the football pitch gets you active and gives you the chance to meet new people.

Mental Health Foundation
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/looking-after-your-mental-health/do-something-youre-good

#MHAW17
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

Mental health help and support services

If you’re experiencing mental health problems or need urgent support, there are lots of places you can go to for help. https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2017/02/02/time-to-talk/#support

 

Health, News, Wellbeing